Structure of social representations of health professionals on neglected diseases

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the structure of health professionals' social representations of neglected diseases. Method: Qualitative study supported by the Theory of Social Representations in its structural approach, developed in primary and secondary care units in a municipality in the interior of Bahia. In the first phase of the collection, the technique of free evocations was applied and analysis by the technique of the quadrant of four houses, in the second, the tests of constitution of paired pairs and the basic cognitive schemes were used. Results: a representational structure on neglected diseases was evidenced, consisting of three dimensions: individual; social and imagery, managed by a central nucleus formed by the terms negligence and ignorance. Conclusion: The representational structure implied the construction of collaborative practices by health professionals, managers and individuals in the control and coping strategies of neglected diseases.